An action plan for my Magazine

What I plan to call the magazine: UnSigned

I have chosen this name because indie rock is also independent rock. Artisits have a do-it yourself approach to music, most acts are unsigned. It is a short title of only 2 syllables so will be easy to remember.

My reader profile:

My target audience would be interested in music. They may play instruments for themselves or just have a love for listening to music. They would be quite open minded about being introduced into new music that is being released. They would like going to concerts and going to see live shows. They would also have an interest in watching TV programs e.g. misfits, skins. Also an interest in many different video games.

Ideas for the front cover image (remember that this is what makes or breaks the magazine sales):  Aiming for a plain background with the singer up front and the other members of group lingering in the background, but they are still seen. The front person will be standing to the side but keeping eye contact wit the readers, the other members will be facing towards the camera. The picture will be taken from higher up as if it is looking down on them, but not too much. This is because the band will be unsigned and an upcoming band in the music world.

What do I need to do to achieve this? (How to find your model, location etc)

1. Ask friends and family to be models             
2. Try out different locations to see what is best

3.    Look around the area for a location and make a list of the best ones        

4.    Try different positions in the photo, who is standing where

5. Take varying shots to see what are best, overhead, below eye line
6. Take plenty of images and see which ones are the best to use

Ideas for the main cover line and other sell lines (and tag line): The tag line for the magazine is ‘Underground brought above ground!’ The main cover line will be ‘(Band name) Uncovered- Find out how they aim to become a success!’ Other sell lines will be ‘Exclusive: (Band)’s new release!!! Read the review inside’ ‘Win!! A chance to win a Jaxville Skulls Electric Guitar Pack’

Ideas for the contents page:

I will have an editor’s letter to the left hand side then the contents page will be split into two columns. One column would be the contents, text with the page number and the other column will contain images associated with the contents page. At the bottom left hand side of the page there will be a bigger image containing the band on the double page and the page number on the image. The heading will be at the top of the page as well.

What do I need to do to achieve this?

1. Write an editor’s letter to put onto the contents page
2. Take some pictures to put onto the contents page
3. Create a list of pages that will be put onto the contents page
4. Create a heading for the contents page to put on it
5. Try out different layouts that may suit the magazine better, make some drafts
6. Ask for people’s opinions on whether the contents page looks appealing and is clear to read

Ideas for the double page spread – type of feature.

The style of journalism that I will take on the double page spread will be novelistic. It will not just be a question and answer the quotes will be incorporated into the article. This is so facts can also be given about the band as well as actual quotes from them. I am also thinking of using big images which will take up one page. So half of the double page spread will be images.

What do I need to do to achieve this?

1. I need to think of a list of questions that may be asked to a band
2. I then need to think of answers that may have been said
3. I then need to think about albums, singles and managers they have signed to, or whether it will be all independent
4. I then need to write up a narrative piece on the interview (what they may have been doing during the interview)
5. I then need to merge the interview answers into the article
6. I then need to see if it needs any opinions incorporated within the article